Emergency resolution on Tokay mold means delay of school start date

The Lodi Unified school board voted Tuesday night to go ahead with an emergency resolution that would push Tokay High School's start date back to Sept. 4.

Board members approved the resolution in a 6-0 vote.

Approval of the resolution will also allow the district to expedite work on Tokay High's mold problem without going through a two-month bidding process.

On June 14 during a scheduled modernization project, construction workers discovered a severe mold problem that tainted every classroom building on campus.

Upon the board's vote, Superintendent Bill Huyett released a proposed calendar for Tokay High's 2007-08 school year.

As a result of the late start, staff and students will potentially miss out on their two-week break in October. Their March break will be shortened to one week, and nine days will be tacked on to the end of the school year.

Tokay High Principal Erik Sandstrom isn't thrilled about the last-minute schedule-change but recognized that it was the only way to get his students back in the classroom.

"At times it's going to make for a long school year," Sandstrom said.

Sandstrom said that administrators looked at every possible solution to the problem — from moving the students to Lodi and Bear Creek High School to extending the school day by an hour — but in the end, rearranging Tokay High's calendar was the only one that would work.

In other action:

• Board members adopted the 2007-08 district budget.
• The board approved a student nutrition plan and meal price adjustment.
• District staff presented a report on expanding aspects of its Advanced Placement program to the middle school level.
• District staff reported on strategies to develop future administrators.
— News-Sentinel staff.

"Is there another way? No," Sandstrom said.

Huyett noted that, while the proposed calendar is unusual for Tokay High, it's commonplace for many other schools.

"A lot of other school districts operate on this schedule," Huyett said.

Huyett said that the district is still working on how to accommodate students who take Regional Occupation Program and Advanced Placement courses off campus at sites that don't have delayed schedules.

The district plans to notify parents and students of the schedule change through its mass-calling system. Information on Tokay High's progress and calendar details will also appear on Lodi Unified's Web site in the near future.

The school board will vote on the proposed schedule at the next school board meeting on July 10.

During the discussion, district staff and board members took pains to keep a positive attitude.

Art Hand, assistant superintendent of facilities and planning, said that Tokay High's modernization project, which would have taken more than two school years to complete, could possibly be finished by the end of next summer.

"It's not an ideal circumstance," board member Peter Johnson said. "But in the end, it will get Tokay done sooner."

Board member Jeff Thompson tried to lighten the mood some by passing a gift to Huyett — a book titled "The Homeowners Guide to Mold."

"I thought you might want to be informed," Thompson said.

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Petrie Disch wrote on Jun 28, 2007 4:06 AM:

" Can someone intelligently describe for me -- mold? Is there both "mold" [harmless] and "mold" [toxic]? What is the difference, how do you tell? I have mold on the food in my fridge, but haven't died nor developed any unusual symptoms. My tennis shoes smell moldy. My wooden deck has mold on it's underside. Am I going to die? "

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Taxpayer & Citizen wrote on Jun 27, 2007 7:35 PM:

" Case Construction is another one of Lodi's favorite contractors that's being watched closely on prevailing wage jobs. Also by the Unions for unfair wage and working conditions, as is Diede Construction. I still see pickets at their yard periodically. "

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WTF wrote on Jun 27, 2007 4:37 PM:

" NICE JLE.....BRAVO!! "

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WY wrote on Jun 27, 2007 4:11 PM:

" Those Stockton kids get everything on Lodi's dime. What the heck?? It's called lodi unified for a reason. drop the stockton schools of this district. enough is enough. "

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RLB wrote on Jun 27, 2007 3:39 PM:

" To Jay Law:Well said. Thank You! "

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kk wrote on Jun 27, 2007 2:36 PM:

" I am really glad that they found it before it could get any worse . The positive is that the kids get a longer break the negitive , Kids well have to be in school with hardly any breaks . SO we have to cancel are family vacation cause they wont get those nice breaks . "

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sam wrote on Jun 27, 2007 12:00 PM:

" WY, the North Stockton people pay the same as you do to Lodi Unified. Actually with the new bond that passed, those who live north of Armstrong pay more to LUSD than the people in Lodi. WY, it should not be called Lodi Unified. Maybe Valley Unified, since it includes so many areas besides Lodi. It's name is deceiving. "

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j lawrence endicott wrote on Jun 27, 2007 9:45 AM:

" to: Taxpayer and Citizen. Before you post careless, sloppy, and uninformed information take time to learn the issues. First, read up on the Davis-Bacon Laws and Prevailing Wage regulations. Then review all the asbestos reports, inspections, and repairs that were done on Tokay High and all schools, readily open to the public. Those are good starters. Second, when you get the urge to comment, fight it off. "

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There is nothing to worry about wrote on Jun 27, 2007 9:10 AM:

" The illegals will have already filed for unemployment ins or Workers comp and that will start the ball rolling. The BIG issue will be the problems OTHER than the mold that will be discovered as the walls and ceilings are opened. We need an independent non-County inspector with HAZMAT experience to make sure contractors don't hide this damage. Maybe EPA and OSHA could be invited. Do we get to sue the original builder when we discover building code violations or other problems. The scab labor that did the work should be held responsible. "

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WY wrote on Jun 27, 2007 9:07 AM:

" Why start late? Bus them to the Stockton compound we built! Our kids get mold and a broken down school and We keep building fresh new buildings for Stockton kids. Someone made a bad deal with Stockton for their grandkids back in the day, and we have to pay the tab. Nice legacy to leave your kids. I full on blame the good ole boys for that one. Now I'm T&C. "

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Taxpayer & Citizen wrote on Jun 27, 2007 7:31 AM:

" Just curious to know who's going to do the removal of the mold and undoubtedly there'll be some asbestosis involved. Are they going to be state certified or just some Lowe's dayworkers that're going to add to the spread of the fungus just for their cheap labor. Couldn't we designate Lodi a disaster area? You need to check the other older schools, too, before the lawsuits come rolling in. Could be embarrassing to be sued by an ILLEGAL. "

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